Door for a household appliance having a removable pane

ABSTRACT

A door for a household appliance includes a door frame, a pane and a clamping device for detachably securing the pane to the door frame. The door frame includes a first and a second holding member disposed opposite each other. The clamping device includes an elastic element located at the first holding member and a clamping element located at the second holding member when the door is in an assembled state. The clamping element is movable from a released position to a locking position so as to detachably mount the pane. The pane is located, with play, between the elastic element and the other holding member when the clamping element is in the released position. The clamping element, when in the locking position, engages a gap between the second holding member and a front face of the pane so as to press the pane against the elastic element.

Priority is claimed to German Patent Application DE 103 36 138.3, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention relates to a door for a household appliance, the door including a door frame and a pane detachably secured to the door frame by a clamping device.

BACKGROUND

A door for a household appliance is known, for example, from European Patent Application EP 1 076 210 A2. The known door for a household appliance in the form of a baking oven includes a door frame and a pane detachably secured to the door frame by a clamping device; the door frame including an upper, a lower, and two lateral holding members, and the clamping device including an elastic element located at the upper holding member and a clamping element which is located at the lower holding member when the door is in the assembled state. When the door is in the assembled state, the pane is pressed against the clamping element of the clamping device by the restoring force of the elastic element, and thus fixed in position. In order to detach the pane from the door frame, the user must press the pane toward the elastic element located at the upper holding member until the region of the pane facing the clamping element is no longer in engagement with the clamping element so that the pane can be rotated about its region facing the elastic element. The known door has the disadvantage that when detaching or inserting the pane, the user must exert a relatively high force on the pane and maintain this force while the pane is subsequently rotated.

German Patent Application DE 102 19 349 A1 describes a door for a cooking appliance including a door frame made of profile bars and a pane detachably secured to the door frame and supported on a holding device. The pane is lockable in position by a clamping device designed as a locking device; the locking device having a clamping element which takes the form of a locking element and positively locks the pane in place when the locking device is in a locking position designed as a first position, and which releases the pane when the locking device is in a released position designed as a second position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a door for a household appliance where the force required to detach or insert the pane into the door frame is reduced.

The present invention provides a door for a household appliance. The door includes a door frame, a pane and a clamping device for detachably securing the pane to the door frame. The door frame includes a first and a second holding member disposed opposite each other. The clamping device includes an elastic element disposed at the first holding member and a clamping element disposed at the second holding member when the door is in an assembled state. The clamping element is movable from a released position to a locking position so as to detachably mount the pane. The pane is disposed, with play, between the elastic element and the other holding member when the clamping element is in the released position. The clamping element, when in the locking position, engages a gap between the second holding member and a front face of the pane so as to press the pane against the elastic element.

In addition to a reduction in the force required to detach or insert the pane from or into the door frame, a particular advantage that can be achieved with the present invention is that the force exerted by the user on the pane does not have to be maintained for a longer period of time. This reduces the risk of injury when detaching or inserting the pane from or into the door frame while further improving the ease-of-use because, first of all, the user does not press directly against the pane, which is generally made of glass. Secondly, the user does not have to press the pane upward against the elastic element and at the same time against its weight, which may be considerable.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the clamping element have a recess in the region in which it engages the gap when in the locking position, and that the pane, in its region facing the clamping element, be partially surrounded by the walls of the recess when the clamping element is in the locking position. In this manner, the pane is fixed in position both parallel and perpendicular to its viewing surface when the clamping element is in the locking position.

One embodiment proposes to design the clamping element as a slider which, when moved from the released position to the locking position, is movable substantially along the front face of the pane facing the other holding member. Thus, the clamping element, i.e., the clamping device, is implemented in a structurally particularly simple manner.

In an embodiment, it is proposed that the clamping element, when in the locking position, engages a further recess of the other holding member; the further recess extending in a direction along the moving direction of the clamping element. Thus, the relative position of the clamping element with respect to the other holding member when the clamping element is in the released position is ensured in a structurally particularly simple manner.

An embodiment proposes that the region of the clamping element engaging the further recess of the other holding member when the door is in the assembled state have a ramp-shaped design; the clamping element forming a clamping connection with the opposing walls of the further recess when in the locking position. Thus, positional fixation of the clamping element with respect to the other holding member when the clamping element is in the released position is further improved.

In another embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that the clamping element take the form of an eccentric member which, when in the released position, is essentially received in a recess of the other holding member; this recess facing the pane when the door is in the assembled state. This allows the clamping element to be mounted on the other holding member in a structurally particularly simple and visually pleasant manner.

An embodiment proposes that when the door is in the assembled state, the eccentric member has an axis of rotation which is located substantially perpendicular to the viewing surface of the pane and mounted on the other holding member. This allows the eccentric member to be designed in a structurally particularly simple manner.

In an embodiment, it is proposed that the clamping element be secured to the other holding member by a snap connection. In this manner, the eccentric member is mounted on the other holding member in an assembly-friendly and thus cost-effective manner.

The clamping element can, in principle, be selected within wide suitable limits in terms of type, size and material. Conveniently, the region of the clamping element which, when the door is in the assembled state, faces the front face of the pane facing the other holding member, has a ramp-shaped or curved design.

Moreover, an embodiment proposes that the other holding member include a left and a right molded corner piece at which a left or a right clamping element is located respectively when the door is in the assembled state. In this manner, the force to be exerted by the user when detaching or inserting the pane into the door frame is distributed over both hands of the user instead of one, thus further improving the ease-of-use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings in a schematic way and will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an inventive door for household appliances.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upper holding member of the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of a left lower molded corner piece, including a left clamping element of the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective detail view of the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in the region of the left lower molded corner piece with the left clamping element in the released position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective detail view similar to FIG. 4 with the left clamping element in the locking position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in the region of the two-part lower holding member designed as a left molded corner piece along a plane parallel to the main direction of extension of two lateral holding members.

FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of a left lower molded corner piece, including a left clamping element of a second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of the second exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 in the region of the left lower molded corner piece with the left clamping element in the released position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective detail view similar to FIG. 8 with the left clamping element in the locking position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an inventive door 2 for a household appliance. The household appliance, of which only door 2 is shown, is a baking oven. FIG. 1 shows door 2 looking at the inner side of door 2 facing the cooking chamber. Door 2 is a four-pane door, including an inner pane 4, an inner middle pane 6, an outer middle pane 8, and an outer pane 10. In the assembled state of door 2 shown in FIG. 1, panes 4, 6, 8 and 10 are detachably secured to the door frame of door 2. The door frame of door 2 has a holding member 12, which is designed as an upper holding member and includes a left and a right upper molded corner piece 12.1 and 12.2 and an upper holding bar 12.3. Upper holding bar 12.3 is positively connected to upper molded corner pieces 12.1 and 12.2. Alternatively, upper holding member 12 may also be integrally formed as a single piece. The lateral frame members of the door frame are made up of a left and a right lateral holding member, of which only the right lateral holding member 14.2 is shown in FIG. 1. The two lateral holding members 14.2 take the form of holding bars. The door frame of the present exemplary embodiment has a two-part, other holding member, which is designed as a lower holding member and made up of a left and a right lower molded corner piece 16.1 and 16.2. The two lower molded corner pieces 16.1 and 16.2 are each detachably connected to the corresponding lateral holding member 14.2 by screw connections. When door 2 is in the assembled state, upper holding bar 12.3 and the two lateral holding members 14.2 are secured to outer pane 10 by adhesive bonding.

In this exemplary embodiment, a clamping element is designed in two parts, namely as a left and a right clamping element 18.1 and 18.2, for simultaneous detachable attachment of panes 4, 6 and 8. In FIG. 1, left and right clamping elements 18.1 and 18.2 are each shown in their released position. To detachably mount panes 4, 6 and 8, clamping elements 18.1 and 18.2 first have to be slid by the user onto the lower edges of panes 4, 6 and 8, and then be moved along the lower front faces of panes 4, 6 and 8 to the left or to the right toward the corresponding lower molded corner piece 16.1, 16.2, from the released position to the locking position. When in the locking position, left clamping element 18.1 engages a further recess 16.1 a formed on left lower molded corner piece 16.1, and right clamping element 18.2 engages a further recess 16.2 a formed on right lower molded corner piece 16.2. Relevant details will be explained below with reference to the further Figures.

FIG. 2 shows left upper molded corner piece 12.1 and part of upper holding bar 12.3 of upper holding member 12. Left upper molded corner piece 12.1 has three recesses 12.1 a on its inner side. The three vertically separated recesses 12.1 a are penetrated by a further recess extending transversely thereto. Inserted in this further recess is an elastic element 20 made, for example, of silicone. When door 2 is in the assembled state, panes 4, 6 and 8 engage the respective corresponding recess 12.1 a with their upper edges. In the process, panes 4, 6 and 8 press against elastic element 20 with their upper edges so that elastic element 20 is deformed because of its elasticity and exerts a restoring force on panes 4, 6 and 8. In the present exemplary embodiment, the elasticity of elastic element 20 is further increased by the holes 20.1 extending transversely to the insertion direction of panes 4, 6 and 8. Panes 4, 6 and 8 are separated from each other by ribs 12.1 b remaining between recesses 12. Moreover, inner pane 4 and outer middle pane 8 are each secured in position in a vertical direction with respect to the plane of the sheet by an edge rib 12.1 c. The panes are also secured in position in the direction of elastic element 20. Since recesses 12.1 a in left molded corner piece 12.1 are also bounded to the left by walls, panes 4, 6 and 8 are also secured in position to the left with respect to the plane of the sheet. The analogous is true for right upper molded corner piece 12.2, i.e., for the right upper corner of door 2.

FIG. 3 shows left lower molded corner piece 16.1 and left clamping element 18.1 in an exploded view. Left clamping element 18.1 has a holding portion 18.1 a, a connecting rib 18.1 b and a handle 18.1 c. To improve the ease-of-use, the moving direction of left clamping element 18.1 is marked on handle 18.1 c by a projection in the form of a double arrow. When moving from the released position shown in FIG. 3 to the locking position, left clamping element 18.1 engages the further recess 16.1 a of left lower molded corner piece 16.1 with connecting rib 18.1 b, as explained earlier. Handle 18.1 c is T-shaped to further improve the ease-of-operation for the user. As FIG. 3 shows, left clamping element 18.1 can be inserted into further recess 16.1 a with its connecting rib 18.1 b only up to a stop 16.1 b formed on left lower molded corner piece 16.1. Located at holding portion 18.1 a of left clamping element 18.1 are projections 18.1 d, 18.1 e and 18.1 f, which face panes 4, 6, 8 and 10 when door 2 is in the assembled state. Projection 18.1 d extends beyond the two other projections 18.1 e and 18.1 f and is inserted between the two middle panes 6 and 8 when moving left clamping element 18.1 from the released position to the locking position. When moved to the locking position, projection 18.1 e is inserted between inner pane 4 and inner middle pane 6, and projection 18.1 f reaches over the lower edge of inner pane 4. The regions of holding portion 18.1 a of left clamping element 18.1 which face the lower front faces of panes 4, 6 and 8 have a ramp-shaped design. In the regions facing the front faces of panes 4, 6 and 8, the material thickness of holding portion 18.1 a increases from the back to the front with respect to the plane of the sheet. Thus, less force is required to move left clamping element 18.1 to its locking position because in this process, panes 4, 6 and 8 slide up the ramps formed on left clamping element 18.1 until left clamping element 18.1 is in the locking position. When in the locking position, left clamping element 18.1 is secured by the weight of panes 4, 6 and 8 and by the restoring force of elastic element 20. In addition to this, it would also be conceivable that, similarly to holding portion 18.1 a, the connecting rib 18.1 b engaging the further recess 16.1 a of left lower molded corner piece 16.1 when left clamping element 18.1 is in the locking position may be wedge or ramp-shaped toward the opposing walls of further recess 16.1 a. The analogous is true for right lower molded corner piece 16.2 and right clamping element 18.2, i.e., the right lower corner of door 2.

FIG. 4 shows a detail view of door 2 in the region of the left lower corner of door 2. Left clamping element 18.1 is shown in the released position, similarly as in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows door 2 in a view similar to FIG. 4. Unlike the representation in FIG. 4, left clamping element 18.1 is shown in the locking position. It can be seen how projections 18.1 d and 18.1 e of left clamping element 18.1 are inserted between the lower edges of panes 4, 6 and 8, and how projection 18. If reaches over inner pane 4. Analogously to left upper molded corner piece 12.1, i.e. upper holding member 12, panes 4, 6 and 8 are fixed in position when door 2 is in the assembled state, i.e., when left and right clamping elements 18.1 and 18.2 are in their locking positions. Positional fixation perpendicular to the viewing surfaces of panes 4, 6, 8 and 10 is accomplished, first of all, by the projections formed on left and right clamping elements 18.1, 18.2, of which only the projections on left clamping element 18.1, namely 18.1 d, 18.1 e and 18.1 f, are shown in FIG. 5. Secondly, panes 4, 6 and 8 are fixed in position by the restoring force of elastic element 20, which presses panes 4, 6 and 8 against left and right clamping elements 18.1 and 18.2. Lateral fixation of panes 4, 6 and 8 is accomplished analogously to left and right upper molded corner pieces 12.1 and 12.2 explained earlier.

FIG. 6 shows door 2 in its assembled state in a sectional view parallel to lateral holding members 14.1 and 14.2; the section running through left lower and upper molded corner pieces 16.1 and 12.1. The sectional view shows how panes 4, 6 and 8 are clamped between clamping elements 18.1 and 18.2 and elastic element 20, which is deformed by moving left and right clamping elements 18.1, 18.2 to their locking positions. When door 2 is in the assembled state, inner pane 4 rests, with its side edges, on lateral holding members 14.1 and 14.2, of which only left lateral holding member 14.1 is shown in FIG. 6. Located in the gap shown in FIG. 6 between left lateral holding member 14.1 and inner pane 4 is a seal, which completely fills the gap shown. The analogous is true for right lateral holding member 14.2. When left and right clamping elements 18.1 and 18.2 are returned to the released position, panes 4, 6 and 8 are pressed toward left and right lower molded corner pieces 16.1 and 16.2 by the restoring force of elastic element 20. In the released position, the play between the individual panes 4, 6 and 8 and the clamping device, i.e., left and right upper molded corner pieces 12.1 and 12.2 and upper holding bar 12.3 and left and right lower molded corner pieces 16.1, 16.2, is designed to allow panes 4, 6 and 8 to be removed from the door frame, i.e., from door 2, one after the other.

FIG. 7 shows a left lower molded corner piece 16.1 and a left clamping element 18.1 of a second exemplary embodiment of door 2 according to the present invention. Second exemplary embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 through 9 only in terms of the differences from the first exemplary embodiment.

Door 2 of the second exemplary embodiment is a three-pane door having only one middle pane 6. Unlike the left clamping element 18.1 of the first exemplary embodiment, left clamping element 18.1 of this exemplary embodiment takes the form of an eccentric member. Left clamping element 18.1 is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 18.1 g on a left lower molded corner piece 16.1 that is also modified, which can be seen from FIG. 8. To this end, left clamping element 18.1 is rotatably mounted on left lower molded corner piece 16.1 by a suitable snap connection known to one skilled in the art. Left clamping element 18.1 and left lower molded corner piece 16.1 together form a structural unit. To this end, left clamping element 18.1 is mounted on left lower molded corner piece 16.1 via axis of rotation 18.1 g, and a receptacle 16.1 c of left lower molded corner piece 16.1 is formed complementarily to the projections 18.1 e and 18.1 f provided on left clamping element 18.1 in such a manner that left projections 18.1 e and 18. If are essentially received in receptacle 16.1 c when left clamping element 18.1 is in the released position. Instead of moving left clamping element 18.1 along the front faces of the lower edges of panes 4, 6 and 8 and into left lower molded corner piece 16.1 during the change from the released position to the locking position, left clamping element 18.1 of the second exemplary embodiment is rotated by 180° about axis of rotation 18.1 g. For this purpose, a recess is provided on upper face 18.1 h of axis of rotation 18.1 g of left clamping element 18.1 so that the user can rotate left clamping element 18.1 without using much force, for example, with the aid of a screw driver. The analogous is true for right lower molded corner piece 16.2 and right clamping element 18.2. This embodiment has the particular advantage that clamping elements 18.1 and 18.2 can be retained on the door frame of door 2 even when in the released position. Moreover, left and right clamping elements 18.1 and 18.2 can be designed identically if, instead of a ramp-shaped configuration of holding portion 18.1 a, a curved shape is chosen, in which case the material thickness of holding portion 18.1 a increases equally during rotation to the locking position, independently of the direction of rotation.

FIG. 8 shows the structural unit made up of left clamping element 18.1 and left lower molded corner piece 16.1 in its assembled state. Here, left clamping element 18.1 is in the released position. Also shown is left lateral holding member 14.1, on whose outer surface facing away from outer pane 10 rests inner pane 4 when door 2 is in the assembled state, as already explained in the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows left clamping element 18.1 in the locking position. Projection 18.1 e slides in between panes 4 and 6 when moved to the locking position, while projection 18.1 f reaches over the lower edge of inner pane 4.

The present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. For example, the number of pane can be selected within suitable limits. Moreover, individual panes, for example inner pane 4, may be coated with an IR reflecting film on their inner sides facing the cooking chamber to achieve as cool an outer pane 10 as possible during the operation of the baking oven. In order to prevent the user from installing the coated inner pane 4 in an incorrect and therefore unwanted position, an installation aid in the form of a projection may be provided on one or more holding members 12, 14 and/or 16. Inner pane 4 has a recess or offset shaped complementarily to the projection.

Besides the above-mentioned fastening options, other suitable, detachable and permanent fastening options known to one skilled in the art are conceivable as well. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to household appliances in the form of baking ovens. Basically, all household appliances having a door 2 would be conceivable; it being unimportant whether or not the panes are transparent. The material for the door frame can also be selected within wide suitable limits. For example, aluminum is a convenient material because of its low weight. 

1. A door for a household appliance, comprising: a door frame, the door frame including a first and a second holding member disposed opposite each other; a pane; and a clamping device configured to detachably secure the pane to the door frame, the clamping device including an elastic element disposed at the first holding member and a clamping element disposed at the second holding member when the door is in an assembled state; wherein: the clamping element is movable from a released position to a locking position so as to detachably mount the pane; the pane is disposed, with play, between the elastic element and the other holding member when the clamping element is in the released position; and the clamping element, when in the locking position, engages a gap between the second holding member and a front face of the pane so as to press the pane against the elastic element.
 2. The door as recited in claim 1 wherein the household appliance includes a baking oven or range.
 3. The door as recited in claim 1 wherein: the clamping element, when in the locking position, engages the gap in a first region of the clamping element, the first region including a first recess; and a second region of the pane facing the clamping element is partially surrounded by walls of the first recess when the clamping element is in the locking position.
 4. The door as recited in claim 1 wherein the clamping element is configured to slide from the released position to the locking position substantially along the front face of the pane, the front face facing the second holding member.
 5. The door as recited in claim 4 wherein the second holding member includes a recess extending in a sliding direction of the clamping element, the recess being engaged by the clamping element when the clamping element is in the locking position.
 6. The door as recited in claim 5 wherein the clamping element engages the recess in a region of the clamping element when the door is in the assembled state, the region including a ramp shape, the clamping element forming a clamping connection with opposing walls of the recess when the clamping element is in the locking position.
 7. The door as recited in claim 1 wherein the second holding member includes a recess and the clamping element includes an eccentric member received in the recess when the clamping element is in the released position, the recess facing the pane when the door is in the assembled state.
 8. The door as recited in claim 7 wherein the eccentric member is rotatable about an axis, the axis being substantially perpendicular to a viewing surface of the pane and the eccentric member being received in the second holding member when the door is in the assembled state.
 9. The door as recited in claim 1 wherein the clamping element is configured to be secured to the second holding member by a snap connection.
 10. The door as recited in claim 1 wherein a region of the clamping element facing the front face of the pane when the door is in the assembled state includes at least one of a ramp shape and a curve shape, the front face of the pane facing the second holding member.
 11. The door as recited in claim 1 wherein: the second holding member includes a left and a right corner piece; and the clamping element includes a left clamping element disposed at the left corner piece when the door is in the assembled state and a right clamping element disposed at the right corner piece when the door is in the assembled state.
 12. The door as recited in claim 11 wherein the left and a right corner pieces include respective molded portions. 